Stanley | here’s another nice mess you gotten us into

Those of a certain age will remember the comedic antics of that famous cumbrian duo-man, that despite poor decision making, everything rights itself at the close of the story. well, history repeats itself and there will always be the odd ‘banana man’ in planning authorities.

pearson planning, chartered surveyors was instructed by a charitable trust to provide professional assistance following refusal of planning permission. the trust has serious ambitions to construct a community sports facility, to serve a village, fast expanding into a town. the local authority had relinguished responsibililty for leisure to a private company, so the trust is stepping in.

planning permission was refused by an officer, and he did so knowing there was no right of appeal. notwithstanding this, pearson planning,chartered surveyors sought a review of his decision from the council’s local review body. lrb members, at an initial meeting, continued consideration of matters and sought additional information. months went by, but on reconvening, and following discussion, members did not agree with the officer’s reasoning.

a vote was taken, and the local review body decided to grant planning permission.

scotland is the only part of the british isles where there is no automatic right of appeal following refusal of all planning applications. this is stifling. do you need a breath of fresh air when dealing with local planning authorities? if so, call pearson planning, chartered surveyors, we will listen and try to help. what we won’t do is sit and twiddle our ties.

Image courtesy of metro-goldwyn-mayer studios